Cineverse and Leading Comedy Club Brand The Stand Group to Launch WITZ Podcast Network Through New Development and Distribution Pact
Cineverse (CNVS) has partnered with The Stand Group to launch the WITZ Podcast Network, expanding into the comedy podcasting space. The partnership aims to maximize distribution platforms, sponsorships, and programmatic demand while creating new IP through podcasts and live entertainment.
This strategic move follows The Stand Group's successful launch of the WITZ Comedy-TV FAST channel in 2022. The partnership capitalizes on comedy being the #1 most popular podcasting category in the U.S., with the genre growing its revenue share by four points from 2022 to 2024 and gaining 300 new advertisers in Q3 2023.
The launch will be celebrated at SXSW, coinciding with Cineverse's upcoming unrated wide release of The Toxic Avenger. This expansion marks Cineverse's entry into comedy podcasting, complementing its existing success in horror, true crime, and entertainment content where it ranks as a top-10 podcast network.
Cineverse (CNVS) ha stretto una partnership con The Stand Group per lanciare il WITZ Podcast Network, espandendosi nel settore dei podcast comici. L'obiettivo della partnership è massimizzare le piattaforme di distribuzione, le sponsorizzazioni e la domanda programmatica, creando al contempo nuove proprietà intellettuali attraverso podcast e intrattenimento dal vivo.
Questa mossa strategica segue il lancio di successo del canale WITZ Comedy-TV FAST da parte di The Stand Group nel 2022. La partnership sfrutta il fatto che la commedia è la categoria di podcast più popolare negli Stati Uniti, con il genere che aumenta la sua quota di entrate di quattro punti dal 2022 al 2024 e guadagnando 300 nuovi inserzionisti nel terzo trimestre del 2023.
Il lancio sarà celebrato al SXSW, in concomitanza con l'imminente uscita in sala di The Toxic Avenger da parte di Cineverse. Questa espansione segna l'ingresso di Cineverse nel podcasting comico, completando il suo successo esistente nei contenuti horror, true crime e di intrattenimento, dove si posiziona come una delle prime dieci reti di podcast.
Cineverse (CNVS) se ha asociado con The Stand Group para lanzar la WITZ Podcast Network, expandiéndose en el espacio de los podcasts de comedia. La asociación tiene como objetivo maximizar las plataformas de distribución, los patrocinios y la demanda programática, al mismo tiempo que crea nueva propiedad intelectual a través de podcasts y entretenimiento en vivo.
Este movimiento estratégico sigue al exitoso lanzamiento del canal WITZ Comedy-TV FAST por parte de The Stand Group en 2022. La asociación capitaliza el hecho de que la comedia es la categoría de podcast más popular en EE. UU., con el género aumentando su participación en los ingresos en cuatro puntos del 2022 al 2024 y ganando 300 nuevos anunciantes en el tercer trimestre de 2023.
El lanzamiento se celebrará en SXSW, coincidiendo con el próximo estreno sin clasificación de The Toxic Avenger por parte de Cineverse. Esta expansión marca la entrada de Cineverse en el podcasting de comedia, complementando su éxito existente en contenido de horror, true crime y entretenimiento, donde ocupa un lugar entre las diez mejores redes de podcast.
시네버스 (CNVS)는 WITZ 팟캐스트 네트워크를 출시하기 위해 더 스탠드 그룹과 파트너십을 맺고 코미디 팟캐스팅 분야로 확장합니다. 이 파트너십의 목표는 배급 플랫폼, 후원 및 프로그램 수요를 극대화하고 팟캐스트와 라이브 엔터테인먼트를 통해 새로운 지적 재산을 창출하는 것입니다.
이 전략적 움직임은 2022년 더 스탠드 그룹이 WITZ Comedy-TV FAST 채널을 성공적으로 런칭한 이후에 이루어졌습니다. 이 파트너십은 코미디가 미국에서 가장 인기 있는 팟캐스트 카테고리라는 점을 활용하며, 이 장르는 2022년부터 2024년까지 수익 점유율을 4포인트 증가시키고 2023년 3분기에 300명의 새로운 광고주를 확보했습니다.
이 런칭은 SXSW에서 기념될 예정이며, 시네버스의 곧 있을 비등급 개봉작인 The Toxic Avenger와 동시에 진행됩니다. 이번 확장은 시네버스가 코미디 팟캐스팅에 진입하는 것을 의미하며, 공포, 범죄 실화 및 엔터테인먼트 콘텐츠에서의 기존 성공과 보완적으로 작용하여 상위 10개 팟캐스트 네트워크 중 하나로 자리 잡고 있습니다.
Cineverse (CNVS) a noué un partenariat avec The Stand Group pour lancer le WITZ Podcast Network, s'étendant dans l'espace des podcasts comiques. L'objectif de ce partenariat est de maximiser les plateformes de distribution, les parrainages et la demande programmatique tout en créant de nouvelles propriétés intellectuelles à travers des podcasts et des divertissements en direct.
Ce mouvement stratégique fait suite au lancement réussi par The Stand Group du canal WITZ Comedy-TV FAST en 2022. Le partenariat capitalise sur le fait que la comédie est la catégorie de podcast la plus populaire aux États-Unis, avec un genre augmentant sa part de revenus de quatre points entre 2022 et 2024 et gagnant 300 nouveaux annonceurs au troisième trimestre 2023.
Le lancement sera célébré au SXSW, coïncidant avec la prochaine sortie large non classée de The Toxic Avenger par Cineverse. Cette expansion marque l'entrée de Cineverse dans le podcasting comique, complétant son succès existant dans les contenus d'horreur, de true crime et de divertissement, où il se classe parmi les dix premières réseaux de podcasts.
Cineverse (CNVS) hat sich mit The Stand Group zusammengetan, um das WITZ Podcast Network zu starten und in den Bereich der Comedy-Podcasts zu expandieren. Die Partnerschaft zielt darauf ab, die Distributionsplattformen, Sponsoren und programmatische Nachfrage zu maximieren, während gleichzeitig neue IPs durch Podcasts und Live-Entertainment geschaffen werden.
Dieser strategische Schritt folgt dem erfolgreichen Start des WITZ Comedy-TV FAST-Kanals durch The Stand Group im Jahr 2022. Die Partnerschaft nutzt die Tatsache, dass Comedy die beliebteste Podcast-Kategorie in den USA ist, wobei das Genre seinen Umsatzanteil von 2022 bis 2024 um vier Punkte erhöht und im dritten Quartal 2023 300 neue Werbetreibende gewinnt.
Der Start wird auf dem SXSW gefeiert, zeitgleich mit der bevorstehenden unbewerteten breiten Veröffentlichung von The Toxic Avenger durch Cineverse. Diese Expansion markiert den Eintritt von Cineverse in das Comedy-Podcasting und ergänzt den bestehenden Erfolg in den Bereichen Horror, True Crime und Unterhaltung, in denen es zu den Top-10-Podcast-Netzwerken gehört.
- Entry into #1 most popular podcast category
- Expansion of revenue streams through new distribution channels
- Partnership with established comedy brand featuring top talent
- Strategic timing with upcoming film release for cross-promotion
- Late entry into competitive comedy podcast market
- Success dependent on unproven podcast network performance
Insights
Cineverse's partnership with The Stand Group to launch the WITZ Podcast Network represents a strategic expansion into comedy podcasting—the #1 most popular podcasting category according to Edison Research. This move builds upon Cineverse's existing success as a top-10 podcast network primarily focused on horror, true crime, and entertainment content.
The deal offers multiple potential revenue streams through distribution platforms, sponsorships, and programmatic advertising. Comedy podcasting has demonstrated strong growth potential, with IAB reporting the genre increased its revenue share by four points from 2022 to 2024 and attracted 300 new advertisers in Q3 2023 alone.
For Cineverse (market cap:
The partnership also includes collaborative IP development, suggesting longer-term monetization opportunities beyond advertising. While this agreement expands Cineverse's addressable market and content diversity, the immediate financial impact remains uncertain without disclosure of terms or minimum guarantees.
Investors should note this represents an incremental business extension rather than a transformative deal. Success will depend on execution, comedian participation levels, and the partners' ability to stand out in an increasingly competitive comedy podcasting landscape.
The Stand Group continues to build a digital footprint on the heels of launching a FAST channel and will work with Cineverse to develop IP while monetizing existing WITZ comedy programming through the podcast network
Partnership kicks off with SXSW event to celebrate the new venture and Cineverse's upcoming and highly-anticipated, unrated wide release of comedy/horror film, The Toxic Avenger
After successfully launching the WITZ Comedy-TV FAST channel and digital content library in 2022 with partners Best Ever Channels (BEC), The Stand Group is now expanding its reach through podcast creation and distribution. Through the launch of the WITZ Podcast Network – a new comedy label operated through the Cineverse Podcast Network – BEC partners Barry Gordon and Jonathon Barbato matched The Stand/WITZ sensibilities with Cineverse's ability to support and build brands.
"Together we will maximize marketing, promotional and sales initiatives for shows we bring into the network for new creators and original IP," says BEC's co-CEO Barry Gordon.
This marks a significant expansion of Cineverse's audio business into comedy, after becoming a top-10 podcast network driven by its horror, true crime and entertainment content. According to Edison Research, comedy is the No. 1 most popular podcasting category in the
Adds The Stand/WITZ partner Cris Italia, "After 20 years of building live experiences for audiences and securing our standing with some of the best comedians in the world, we are ready to step it up and continue to nurture talent both in the podcasts and independent content creation. We've always considered ourselves as an incubator for talent, and partnering with Cineverse can now bring it all to life."
The WITZ Podcast Network launches in style at SXSW. The brands will come together to celebrate the new venture along with Cineverse's highly-anticipated, wide, unrated release of The Toxic Avenger, directed by Macon Blair and starring Peter Dinklage, and coming to theaters this summer. The kick-off event will feature appearances by comedians, podcast talent, musicians and stars from the upcoming film.
"Not only does partnering with comedy leaders like The Stand Group/WITZ make us instantly credible in a genre that has proven itself time and time again as a major force in podcasting, but it also allows us to move quickly into this space," says Cineverse President and Chief Strategy Officer Erick Opeka. "We are quite proud of how successful the Cineverse Podcast Network has quietly become, particularly among horror fans, and with our upcoming release of crossover horror/comedy film, The Toxic Avenger, the timing of this expansion couldn't be more perfect. We look forward to leveraging the WITZ Podcast Network not only to promote our content, but as a valuable addition to our ad sales arsenal, for other studios and brands looking to tap into the power of podcasting as an effective part of their promotional campaigns."
The Stand has worked with some of the funniest and most popular stand-up comedians in the business, including: Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Nate Bargatze, T.J. Miller, Sam Jay, Janeane Garofalo, Laurie Kilmartin, Andrew Dice Clay, Shane Gillis, Bill Burr, Sal Vulcano, Jim Gaffigan, Ramy Youssef, Bonnie McFarlane, Rich Vos, Ian Lara, Tim Dillon, Marcello Hernandez, Nikki Glaser, Mark Normand, Ralph Barbosa, Hannah Berner, Cipha Sounds, Aida Rodriguez, Derek Gaines, Sienna Hubert-Ross and many more.
About Cineverse Podcast Network
Cineverse operates a top-10 podcast network with more than 35 audio series. It leverages owned-and-operated brands like Bloody Disgusting, Midnight Pulp and RetroCrush to deliver hit shows in horror, true crime and entertainment. A growing division of the Company, the Cineverse Podcast Network generates advertising revenue from brands across key categories, including movie studios, retailers and consumer products. In its most recently reported quarter, Cineverse podcast and related revenue was up
About Cineverse
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) is a next-generation entertainment studio that empowers creators and entertains fans with a wide breadth of content through the power of technology. It has developed a new blueprint for delivering entertainment experiences to passionate audiences and results for its partners with unprecedented efficiency, and distributes more than 71,000 premium films, series, and podcasts. Cineverse connects fans with bold, authentic, independent stories. Properties include the highest-grossing unrated film in
About The Stand Group, Inc
For about two decades, The Stand has been a staple of the
ABOUT WITZ COMEDY-TV
Best Ever Channels (BEC) and The Stand Group Inc. bring 24/7 comedy to FAST and VOD audiences with the dynamic and edgy WITZ Comedy-TV. Featuring a lineup of original programming headlined by comedy all-stars, fan favorites, and up-and-coming talents, WITZ Comedy-TV delivers fresh, uncensored content – live programming, all-new standup comedy specials, talk shows, vodcasts, and more, WITZ is a destination for real and relentless comedy. Fans can follow WITZ Comedy TV on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Or go to witzcomedy.tv for more.
CONTACTS
For Media, The Lippin Group for Cineverse
cineverse@lippingroup.com
For Investors, Julie Milstead
investorrelations@cineverse.com
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SOURCE Cineverse Corp.
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